Life of Waste: Doc. 8

by Alyssa PuttJanuary 01, 2019

Sup everyone?

It has been a minute since my last blog post! Been a wild year for me between going on tour with Concussion, breaking my wrist in a car accident and finally putting out my first LP with Public Acid. Regardless, there have been a lot of killer releases this year and I am excited I get to share some of my favorite records from 2018 with all of you. Hope you enjoy!

(in no particular order...)

Tozcos: Suenos Deceptivos - This record caught me by surprise. I hadn't ever listened to this band until this LP came through the store. Super catchy medium paced punk! It reminds me a lot of The Comes, but I also hear a little bit of influence from UK82 style stuff and Scandinavian hardcore. Definitely a record that has spent a lot of time on my turntable this year!

Fetish: S/T 7" - This is big one for me this year. Anyone who knows me knows I love Poison Idea (I mean, who doesn't I guess?), and this group straight up sounds like late 80s/ early 90s era Poison Idea. Featuring Thee Slayer Hippie and Vegetable (both of which were in the War All Time line-up of Poison Idea) and members of the band Long Knife, it is bound to turn some heads. The A-side has a ripping track titled "Take The Knife", and the B side features a cover of "A House Is Not A Motel" by Love (it took me a couple listens but I actually really enjoy it now). I can't wait to hear what this band does next. Very highly recommended!

Bootlicker: Who Do You Serve? 7" - Fuck yes! I love this shit. Super catchy cave man d-beat hardcore. I can tell this band takes influence from UK82 style groups, but more than that I hear influence from some more recent bands like Bloodkrow Butcher and Exit Order. Here's hoping they come to the states soon!

Mammoth Grinder: Cosmic Crypt - I'll be the first to say I'm a total metal poser. I like what I like, but have never explored any further than bands that intrigue me immediately. Mammoth Grinder has always held a special place for me though. After hearing one of their earlier releases, "Extinction Of Humanity", back in high school I have tried to keep up with what this band does. Cosmic Crypt delivers that classic Mammoth Grinder sound but you can hear how the writing style has matured into a pummeling riff machine. This record was their first record on legendary metal Label, Relapse Records, and it holds up to the hype. The primary songwriter for the group is Chris Ulsh, and he keeps himself busy playing in other heavy hitting bands like Power Trip and Impalers. I'm hoping he'll make time in his busy schedule for a Mammoth Grinder tour in 2019!

Kaleidoscope: 2017 7": Kaleidoscope are the most unique and exciting bands in punk right now if you ask me. With every release they seem to push the boundary a little further. It's really hard to pin down what their sound is or what they're going for. They have the intensity and heavy hitting delivery of a hardcore punk group and psychedelic riffs that make me want to try hallucinogens. I'd be bold enough to declare that the B-side track, "Scorched Earth" is my favorite song to be released in 2018.

Blood Pressure: Surrounded 12" - Yet another brilliant hardcore masterpiece from these Pittsburgh punks. Blood Pressure have always raised the bar with every release, reminding us all that they may not have created the genre but god damn they do it better than anyone else out there right now. Unfortunately they broke up about a week ago, but alas, all good things must come to an end. Can't wait to see what these folks do next.

Dark Thoughts: At Work 12" - Dark Thoughts play pop driven punk rock that is right up my alley. You can CERTAINLY hear influence from legendary groups like The Ramones and The Dickies, but with a modern punk twist. Even the artwork for this album is an abstract take on the Ramones second album, "Leave Home". Dark Thoughts rule, this record rules. Big hell ya!

Cadaver Dog: Dying Breed 12" - This is another record that caught me by surprise when it came through the store earlier this year. This is blazing fast, unrelenting hardcore. The snarling tone of the vocals was a bit of a turn off for me at first, but I can't imagine a better way to accompany this kind of blistering hardcore. Hope this band makes their way to the east coast soon!

Hank Wood and The Hammerheads: S/T 12" - I love this record! I was someone that wasn't completely convinced by the first two records ("Go Home" and "Stay Home"), which I'm aware is an unpopular opinion. But damn this is a jammer! Whenever I listen to this band I don't really hear song structure, just like a loose 2 minute punk jam track, and I'm into it.

Rata Negra: Justicia Cosmica 12" - I first checked out this band when I heard they were coming through Raleigh on tour. Their set that night blew me away. I love their brand of melodic punk similar to the styles of Masshysteri or The Vicious. If you haven't checked them out, you're missing out on one of the best catchy punk bands of our time.